Clowe, a two-time 20-goal scorer who, somehow, has none this season, cost New York a second- and third-rounder in 2013, plus another second-rounder in 2014 if they make the Eastern Conference finals or re-sign Clowe. If neither of those happens, the San Jose Sharks will receive a fifth-rounder.

At 6-2, 225 pounds, Clowe is big and tough. He also has a track record of success, but just 11 assists this season. He also carries a $3.625 million salary cap hit.

Putting aside Clowe's troubles, which have been exacerbated by horrific luck and injuries, he figures to help along a bottom six that never rebounded from losing Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov and Ruslan Fedotenko. New York, averaging a league-worst 2.26 goals per game, needs offense, and Clowe, counterintuitive as it may seem, helps in that area. New York somehow started Tuesday in the Eastern Conference's last playoff spot.

The trade also completes a nice run for Sharks GM Doug Wilson, who turned Clowe and third-pairing defenseman Douglas Murray into two guaranteed second-round picks, two potential second-round picks and a third-rounder. Both players are over 30, have struggled this season and are on track to become free agents.

Clowe waived his no-trade clause to join the Rangers and chose them over the Vancouver Canucks. Wilson, in a release announcing the move, called him a "tremendously respected player and teammate, and an individual of outstanding character," but noted that it was important to get value for a pending UFA.

If the Rangers do re-sign Clowe, it'll bring them closer to the 2013-14 salary cap, which drops from $70.2 million to $64.3 million. New York has more than $11 million in projected space at the moment, but they also need to work things out with RFAs Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan and Carl Hagelin in addition to dealing with Clowe. McDonagh in particular could seek a serious raise from his $1.3 million cap hit for 2013.

So, whether it's Wednesday or in the offseason, the Rangers have some choices to make—and they likely revolve around winger Marian Gaborik, who has one year left with a $7.5 million cap hit. After a 76-point 2011-12 season, he has nine goals and 10 assists in 2013 and was recently dropped to the fourth line, though he may have clicked with Mats Zuccarello on Monday night.

More immediately, adding Clowe means that the Rangers are likely to send Chris Kreider and/or JT Miller to the AHL.